The steel brake lines to the rear breaks rusted and my breaks failed. I have looked at three other cars of the same type and tey have the same problem. This could kill someone.
1996 Mercury Sable brakes problems
20 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
- Foundation components: disc: rotor3
- Foundation components2
- Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
- Foundation components: differential proportional valve1
- Brake fluid low warning: lamp1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercury Sable brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Mercury Sable brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp
- What is wrong
- The brake system fluid level indicator lamp switch can malfunction. This does not comply with fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: if the switch malfuntions, the brake system warning lamp will either remain illuminated continuously or fail to light as intended when the fluid level falls to a certain level. In either case, the vehicle operator would not be warned of a low brake fluid level condition.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake system fluid level indicator lamp switches.
Recall number 96V016000 · Recall details
What 1996 Mercury Sable owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated the brake lines from the front to the rear of the vehicle rusted causing brake fluid to pour from the tubes. As a result, the brakes failed without warning. The brake pedal went to the floor while traveling at 25 MPH on a dry highway. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed pit holes in the tubes located in the fuel lines where the rust appeared. The vehicle was towed to a dealership to have the brakes repaired.
Consumer complained about a brake problem. When driving through the rain warning dash lights come on, and the vehicle stalled.
I have had this car for one year and one half. I bought it from ray hudson chevrolet in la crosse ,wis. I had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Two weeks after the front and back brakes had to be replaced. This was at the dealers exspense. I had to have a wheel bearing replaced and now after a year and 1/2 I have to replace the whole motor.
The outer door handles become inoperable when the vehicle is left in the rain. Condition varies from totally inoperable to difficult to open. The vehicle opens easily from the inside. It has also happened once on the front left door. The dealer never heard of that happening before. If you slam the door real hard it fixes itself. When the condition goes away the doors open like new again until another rain.
I have a number of worries with my vehicle. The following are: when playing the radio/tape deck, you hear a loud buzzing noise coming through the speakers even if the radio is turned down; when steering from left to right you'll hear a cranking noise coming from the front end of car; car does not absorb bumps at all, it rocks, makes knocking noise coming from somewhere near wheels; when driving on highway at a speed of about 50-70 MPH, car will sway, like a wind is blowing it away; feul sensor will float, you can not count on it to tell you how much gas you have; trunk hood flips up in the air so fast and hard, I have stunted my fingers before on it; the doors on the car have a sharp edge to it, if you don't stand back when opening the door, it can gash your leg; wind shield are a blind spot, to long, wipers are so strong they vibrate the car, unusually strong; back window on left side (passenger) will not roll up, or roll down sometimes; assembly of light moldings/fixtures in back of car are off(not evenly lined up), so is the leveling of trunk lid; car jumps when starting it up, like it's ready to pull off, even when your foot is on the brake; when moving the gears the car makes a knocking noise, and jumps also; brake light comes on and goes off at times; car loses power at times, even after the transmission was replaced in february, 2001; keyless alarm system is sensitive, sometimes a inconvience, if you pick keys up and touch the panic, or trunk release button it can be set off in the house, behind a brick wall.
While traveling 50mph driver applied brakes, but pedal went to floor and vehicle did not slow down or stop, eventually coming to rest in a ditch. *ak consumer states 3 people were injured in accident.
Brakes failed. Hard pressure on brake pedal resulted in no braking from a speed of 25mph. Car was stopped when it hit a house. Damage appears total. Abs brakes have failed in two earlier incidents: one required about $800 of repairs and some property damage. Car was purchased from ford motor company after the first owner returned the vehicle for brake problems ford certified that the brakes had been repaired to "new" condition.
Abs system failed causing light to illiminate 2 repairs due to faulty diagnosis on 1st visit. Yh
Rotors of the car continue to warp and I have spoken to many repair shops and they have told me this is a common problem. With the rotors warping this could make braking safely difficult or impossible.
Questions about the 1996 Mercury Sable brakes
Does the 1996 Mercury Sable have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Sable brakes problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Mercury Sable brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 96V016000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercury Sable have bad brakes?
The Mercury Sable model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (67 complaints), 1993 (48 complaints) and 1992 (41 complaints).
Other 1996 Mercury Sable problems
Transmission 69Engine 62Steering 35Body 29Visibility 26Electrical 20Acceleration 17Airbags 15Lights 15Suspension 11Fuel system 10Seat belts 10Locks 5Tires 5Wheels 3Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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